QCAA Health exam-day guide
QCAA Health · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification and your student number
Bring the identification your school requires and know your QCAA student number or learner identifier. Exact ID requirements for external assessment can vary by school, so confirm with your school before exam day.
At least two black or blue pens
Pack two or three pens you have already tested. Blue or black ink is standard for written responses; avoid pencil for final answers unless the paper explicitly instructs otherwise.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Use these for planning, diagrams or annotated notes rather than for final written responses. Keep them in a clear container so supervisors can see your equipment.
A highlighter
Useful for marking command words, key data and question parts on the paper. Confirm with your school that highlighters are on the approved equipment list for your exam.
A clear water bottle with the label removed
Staying hydrated supports concentration across a long written paper. Check your school's rules on bottles and labels, as these can differ between venues.
A plain analogue or digital wristwatch
A watch helps you manage time without relying on the room clock. Smart watches and watches with communication or storage functions are not permitted; confirm what your school accepts.
A transparent pencil case or pouch
Clear storage makes checking equipment quick at the start of the exam. Avoid cases with writing, notes or hidden compartments.
Your exam room, date and start time confirmed
Check your school's external assessment timetable the day before and again on the morning. Arrive with enough time to find the room, store your bag and settle at your desk.
A plan to leave your phone and smart devices at home
Phones, smart watches and earbuds should not come into the exam room. If you must bring a phone, confirm with your school where it will be stored during the exam.
Personal medication, glasses or other essential items
If you need medication, glasses, an inhaler or a health-related item during the exam, tell your supervisor before the paper begins and confirm the school's process in advance.
A one-page summary of the syllabus structure
Know the key concepts and inquiry skills your course covers so you can recognise which part of the syllabus a question is targeting. Use this for planning, not as a permitted reference in the room.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating and practising. Review your syllabus summary and the key concepts your course emphasises, then write at least one full extended response under timed conditions. Check the structure of the external assessment, including the number of questions, suggested time per section and whether there is perusal time, by asking your teacher or checking the QCAA syllabus. Confirm your equipment, travel arrangements and exam room, and protect your sleep schedule: two solid nights of sleep before the exam matter more than a late-night cram.
Do light, active review: skim your summaries, rehearse the structure of extended responses (introduction, development, evidence, evaluation, conclusion) and check that you can explain the main models, frameworks and health concepts in your own words. Pack your bag with pens, pencil, eraser, highlighter, water bottle, watch and ID. Lay out comfortable clothes, set two alarms and plan your route and arrival time. Avoid starting new topics or doing practice questions late into the evening.
Eat a normal breakfast, drink water and arrive at school with time to spare. Do not try to learn new content in the final hour; instead read a short summary of key concepts and command words. Follow your supervisor's instructions, store your bag and devices where directed, check that your equipment works and complete any identification requirements. Use perusal time, if it is provided, to read the whole paper, note question choice and plan how you will allocate time.
Read all instructions and the marks available for each question before you begin. Allocate time in proportion to marks and keep an eye on your watch. Underline command words such as explain, analyse, evaluate and justify, and make sure each part of a multi-part question is answered. For extended responses, spend a few minutes planning, then write clearly with topic sentences and specific health examples. If you run out of time, write brief dot points for remaining questions rather than leaving them blank. Leave a few minutes at the end to check that you have answered every question and that your handwriting is legible.
Rules to check
Bring only the equipment your school has approved for the external assessment. If you are unsure whether an item such as a highlighter, watch or clear pencil case is allowed, confirm with your school before exam day rather than assuming it will be permitted.
Be prepared to show identification and to state your student number. The exact identification requirements for external assessment are set by the school and QCAA processes, so confirm what you need to bring with your school.
Mobile phones, smart watches, earbuds and other electronic devices must not be in the exam room. Leave them at home where possible, or store them exactly where your supervisor directs before the paper begins.
Arrive before the scheduled start time and follow all supervisor instructions about seating, bags, equipment and leaving the room. If you arrive late, do not enter until you are told to; the school will explain what happens next.
Maintain academic integrity throughout the exam. Do not communicate with other candidates, do not look at another candidate's paper and do not bring in notes, summaries or unauthorised materials, including writing on your hands, pencil case or water bottle.
If you feel unwell before or during the exam, tell a supervisor immediately. Do not sit the paper if you are too unwell; contact your school as early as possible to ask about illness and misadventure processes, which are handled by the school and QCAA.
Check the paper's instructions for any choice of questions and for the marks attached to each part. Answer the required number of questions and allocate your time according to the marks available, not according to how much you enjoy a particular topic.
If you need to leave the room during the exam, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Confirm with your school in advance how supervised breaks and toilet visits are managed at your venue.